Air cleaner



Aug. 5, 1941. T. w. HALLERBERG 2,251,789

AIR CLEANER Filed April 1, 1939 '.ZZY E1 Z [:1 755000425 14 bfinusesaea.

Patented Aug. 5, 1941 AIR CLEANER Theodore W. Hallerberg, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to United Specialties Company, Detroit, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Application April 1, 1939, Serial No. 265,395

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in an air cleaner, and moreparticularly to an air cleaner of the type used in connection withinternal combustion engines, air compressors, and other apparatusneeding a fairly constant supply of clean air, and especially to acleaner of the liquid bath type, wherein incoming air is washed by acleansing liquid which is in turn removed from the air before it leavesthe cleaner, although the invention may have other uses and purposes aswill be apparent to one skilled in the art.

I am aware that in the past many and various types of liquid bath aircleaners for automotive engines'and other uses have been developed, andmany of these formerly known types have included both a liquid sump anda baflle disposed in or closely adjacent the sump to effect some desiredaction of either the cleansing liquid or the air. In many cases, suchcleaners of necessity had to be made with a relatively large diameter inorder to render the cleaner of the desired capacity, maintain requisiteefficiency and prevent pull-over of the cleansing liquid through theoutlet of the cleaner. In other instances, difliculty was experienced inthat the air would manage to pass to the wrong side of the baflle andagitate the di already accumulated in the liquid sump, so tha there wasin effect a partial redistribution of this removed dirt back through thecleaner.

Before these formerly known cleaners could be reduced in diameter, whichis desirable both from a standpoint of fitting the cleaner into alimited space and from the standpoint of economy in manufacture, withoutthe sacrifice of capacity and efliciency and without resultantpull-over, a diiierent construction and arrangement must be provided toinsure a positive and accurate circulation of the cleansing liquid, withthe air moving only in the intended direction and not seeking anywayward path within the cleaner.

sion of an air cleaner embodying a special construction with increasedcapacity of the cleaner beyond that of corresponding cleaners heretoforeknown.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a liquid bath aircleaner embodying a baille disposed in or adjacent the liquid in thesump of the cleaner, with the parts of the cleaner so arranged thatincoming air must pass over only one side of the baflle and cannot,under regular operation, find its way to the wrong side of the battle.

It is also a feature of this invention to. provide a liquid bath aircleaner having a liquid sump in which dirt removed from the air maycollect, with the construction so arranged as to define a zone ofquietude within the sump and effectively prevent any agitation ofaccumulated dirt sufliciently to cause a partial recirculation orredistribution of this dirt through the cleaner after it once arrives inthe sump.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an aircleaner of the liquid bath type having a liquid sump disposed in thebottom of the cleaner with a substantially horizontally disposed baflieoverlyinga portion of the sump, the bafile being so arranged as toprovide an A opening through which sump liquid may be aspi- That, ofcourse, is one of the primary objects I of the present invention.

Anotherobject of the invention is sion of an air cleaner-embodying anovel construction insuring adequate circulation of cleansing liquidthrough the provision of a low-pressure region inside the cleaner, whichregion of low pressure results from the action of the air travelingthrough the cleaner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a liquid bath aircleaner which will have the same or greater capacity and efficiencywithout pull-over of corresponding air cleaners heretofore known madefor operation in the same locale, but which may be made of a definitelysmaller size than the corresponding formerly known cleaners.

A further object of this invention is the provithe provirated bytraveling air, and guiding means associated with the baffle so thattraveling air can only pass over the upper surface of the baflle, andthis traveling air is prevented from seeking a position beneath thebaiile.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantagesof the present invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the following disclosures taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary part-elevational, part-vertical sectionalview, illustrating an air cleaner embodying principles of the presentinvention; and

Figure 2 is a plan sectional view taken substantially as indicatedby theline IIII of Figure 1; looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

As shown on the drawing:

In the illustrated embodiment of this inven tion, there is shown aliquid bath air cleaner comprising an upper casing section 5 having aclosed top 8, through which an outlet conduit 1 for cleaned air extends,the conduit 1 preferably leading from a central position. Also attachedto the top 6 is a suitable form of bracket 8 for mounting the entirecleaner in proper position. Also associated with the top 6 is anoutwardlyand downwardly extending hood 9.

This top section of the casing carries a filter mass I0 therein, whichmay be curled cattle-tail at 29, to lessen restriction to incoming air.

. will be seen that the aforesaid hood 9 extends outwardly over theinlet passage to prevent debris Y hair, wavy wire, or some equivalentfiltering substance of substantially uniform density throughout. Thisfilter mass may be held in position by a strip of reiativelyheavy screenor hardware cloth Ila. at the bottom of the casing section, and someequivalent structure may be employed at the top end if deemed desirable.

A series of bame supporting clamps II are spot welded or otherwisesecured to the lower part of the upper casing section 5. In thisinstance, three are illustrated spaced equidistantly around the casingsection. Each of these clamps is outwardly bent or bowed, as indicatedat l2, for a purpose that will later appear. Beneath the bow l2, eachclamp turns inwardly and downwardly in position for engagement with abafile l3, to which attachment is made by way of bolts.

M or equivalent means. The bafile I3 is of greater diameter than thecasing section 5, and the outer portion of the baliie is in general ofdome shap with. the convex .side uppermost. The central portion of thebafile, however, is shaped similarly but to a lesser extent in theopposite direction, as indicated at l5, to provide arecess',

f with the concave side of this portion I5 uppermost. Preferably in thecentral part of the recessportion IS, an aperture ii is provided whichserves as a means for dirt removed from air tion 23 at the'lower end ofthe shell I] extends during the operation of the cleaner findifig' its 7way to the liquid sump. x V

Disposed around the upper casing section 5 is an annular shell l'l held.in position vby-a plurality of Z-brackets I3 or the equivalent. Thisshell is spaced equidistant therearound in concentric relationship withthe casing section 5, so as to provide a downwardly extending annularair inlet passage l9. The upper end of the shell 42,251,712!) UN outeredge of the bane l3 but that it is well inside and overhangs itdefinitely. Similarly, the expression means also that the edge 23 is notmerely slightly out of contact with the adjacent upper surface of themember 13 but that itis' tially submerged by the sump liquid; audit willbe noted that the'baflie extends outwardly beneath the annular inlet,terminating short 'of the wall of the cup 24 so ,as to leave an annularpassage29 through which sump liquidmay be aspirated during the operationof' the cleaner, 'and dirt-laden cleansing liquid may return to thesumpwhen operation is stopped. I It will be especially noted-"that thecurved p'orinwardly above the outer margingof the baffle to .an extentsuflicient to prevent enteringair from finding a way through thean'nular opening- 29 into the liquid" sump beneath the baflie. It.should also be carefully noted that a reasonably.

' wide space, as indicated-at 30, isleft between the I1 isoutwardlybelled somewhat, as indicated or the like from falling into thepassage.

' The lower portion of the shell I! is stepped inwardly, as indicated at2!, to provide'a shoulder.

and the portion 22fbelow the shoulder 2| is of somewhat less diameterthan theportionthereabove. The lower end thereof is definitely curvedinwardly, as indicatedat 23, to guide incoming f by'any suitablemeanstoa's s e' fi e e o to "to an lnternal combustio I v I the :engine,.dueto-fthe"suction, established edge of'the curved portion 23 and theupper surface of the baliie. This space is-sufliciently wide so thatwhen operation is.stopped,=sump-'liquiddraining from the filter mass IIIwill effectively wash the upper surface-of. the baffle, and there is noplace on the bafiie where dirt may accumulate and thus buildupafwalllessening the capacity and adding to the restriction. of thecleaner.

In operation, the outlet conduit I-l'is. connectedoln'ce of suction,such gine, .Upon starta therein, air will be drawndownwardly through theinlet passage i9, and in the first'instant after air over the uppersurface of the baflie and upwardly through the filter mass 19 towardsthef outlet conduit 1. While the Z-brackets l8 effecner face of theshell [1 in a manner to rigidity the construction.

ll'he lower casing section 24 which is in the shape of a cup to define asump for cleansing liquid therein is telescopically associated with thepart 22 of the shell H. The upper edge. of the cup 24 is outwardlyturned, as indicated at 25, to abut the underside of the aforesaidt'ivelifsupport the shell in position, the bowed portions l2 of thebafile holders I I abut the inshoulder 2| when the cup is inproper-position on the cleaner. This cup is held removably in place uponthe shell II by means of one or more brackets 29 aifixed to the cup,each of which is engaged over .the shank of bolt carried by the shell I!and held in position by a suitable thumb nut 21, as more fully set forthin Milton W. Zander Patent No. 2,004,150, entitled Air cleaner," issuedJune 11, 1935.

Where in the claims the expressions substantially inside of the edge ofthe bailie and substantially above said baflie are used, they mean thatthe edge of the member23, which is referred to, is not merely lightlyinside of the starting-substantially all of thesurnp liquid disposed onthe outer upwardly; convex portion of the baflle will be carriedimmediately up into the filter' mass III. The air merely-followsa courseI v downwardly through the inlet I9, over the curved portion 23 of theshell, upwardly through the filter-mass l0 and out of the outlet 1.'During the course of travel of the air, after the removal oi. the sumpliquid on top of the upwardly convex part of the bailie, more sumpliquid will be aspirated through the opening 29, over the upper surfaceof the bailie. Some of this aspirated liquid will become heavy with andcling to the bafile, being urged into the concavity l5 by the travelingair, where it will descend through. the aperture l6 into the sump,carryingthe dirt I V removed from the air with it; The rest of theaspirated liquid will be" commingled in the air stream and carried intothe filter" mass l0.

While the inwardly turned part 23 of the shell is quite effective inpreventing entering air from passing beneath the baffle, this will notprevent aspiration of sump liquid through the opening 29 by the rapidlytraveling air. Due to the aspiration or eduction of sump liquid throughthe opening 29, and the traveling air following a defined path, a zoneof low pressure is established both above and below the concave portion[5 of rbureterconnected. 1 T

the baflle. The low pressure region above the bailie will be of asubstantially conical shape with the concave part l as the base of thecone, and the low pressure area beneath the concave part J5. will,not beof as great a'size as the region thereabove.

The sump liquid above the baiile will naturally tend to move towardsthis region of low pressure, and consequently there will be a definitecirculation of sump liquid established through the filter mass l0. Sumpliquid will be carried up into the filter mass adjacent the outerportion thereof, and after entering the mass will tend to move towardsthe region of low pressure, where the liquid-may descend through thehole l6, reach the sump, and again be aspirated through the opening 29.

There will also be a circulation of sump liquid through the'opening 29,immediately over the outer dome portion of the baffle, into theconcavity l5, through the opening l6, and back through the opening 29.-This latter circulation ls due to the fact that this will be the mostheavily dirt-laden part of the liquid and will therefore tend to stayclose to the upper surface of the baflle. It will also be noted that thesump liquid in the central bottom portion of the cup 24 will bedisturbed very little by the traveling air or by the aspiration of theother sump liquid, so that there will be a region of quietude in thebottom of the sump, and any disturbance that may occur in this regionwill not be sufilcient to recirculate accumulated dirt.

When operation stops, all of the sump .liquid in the filter mass l0 willdrain downwardly over the bafile. Because of the relatively wide spacebetween the curved part 23 of the shell I! and the adjacent uppersurface of the baffle, any dirt remaining on the baiile will be'washedinto the sump by this drain flow of liquid from the filter mass. It willbe seen, therefore, that there cannot be an accumulation 'of dirtremaining upon the baffle.

All of the above described features concerning the path of the air, thelow pressure regions, definite circulation of the sump liquid, and thewashing of the baiile by draining liquid tend to increase the capacityof the cleaner without sacrifice of efilciency and without danger ofpullover into the carbureter. Thus, the cleaner may be made of the samesize as cleaners heretofore used for the same purpose and give greaterair capacity, or may be built of reduced size and give the samecapacity.

From theforegoing, it is apparent that I have provided a novel aircleaner construction which is considerably space-saving by virtue of itsgreater capacity in comparison with its size, which is highly eflicientin operation, establishing a definite path for the air and a definitecirculation for the sump liquid, and it will be appreciated that thedevice may be economically manufactured. v

It will, of course, be understood that numerous details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof this invention, and it is therefore not the purpose to limit thepatent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an air cleaner, a casing structure arranged to define a downwardlyleading annular inlet, said casing having a liquid sump beneath saidinlet, a baille disposed generally transversely of said sump andextending beneath said inlet,

guide air over the surface of said baiiie and to prevent air reachingthe opposite side of the baflie through the eduction opening.

2. In an air cleaner, a casing having an inlet and an outlet with aliquid sump in the lower part adjacent the path of air traveling fromthe inlet to the outlet, a filter in the. upper part of the casing; anda baflie below the filter and extending-substantially across the sump,the casing structure being arranged so the inlet leads downwardlytowards the sump and the air is forced to turn upwardly over the upperface of the baliie to reach the outlet, said baiiie being shaped topresent an upwardly bulged part over which the air must pass to reachsaid filter, and said bailie having a central depression confronting thefilter with an aperture therein through which liquid may return from thefilter to the sump.

3. In an air cleaner, a casing structure having a liquid sump in thelower part thereof, means defining an air path through the casingsubstantially towards and then away from said sump, a filter in theupper part of the casing, a baflle disposed substantially transverselyof the filter and sump and arranged to provide an opening adjacent apart of the air path through which sump liquid may be educed bytraveling air, said baflle having a bulged formation towards the iiiterwith a central apertured depression fronting the filter, and a guideelement extending into the incoming air path over said eduction openingin a manner to prevent incoming air reaching the eduction opening and toguide air over the bulged part of the baffle.

4. In an' air cleaner, a casing section having an outlet leadingtherefrom, a filter mass in said section, a shell around said sectionand spaced therefrom to define an air inlet passage, a cuplike casingsection engaged with the lower part of said shell and defining a liquidsump below said filter mass, a bafiie extending across said casing,

terminating in close proximity to the wall thereof and disposedtransversely of said sump below said filter mass and below and extendingacross said inlet passage, and the lower part of said shell beinginwardly bent and terminating at a point substantially inside of theedge of said bafiie and being positioned substantially above said baflieto turn the current of incoming air away from the edge of said baiiie.

5. In an air cleaner, a casing having a liquid sump therein, an innersection spaced from the outer wall to provide an annular inlet passagetherearound, a filter mass in said inner section above the sump, abailie extending across said casing and arranged transversely of saidsump and terminating short of the outer casing wall leaving an openingbelow said inlet passage through which sump liquid may be educed bytraveling air, and an air guiding member curving inwardly above saidbattle and away from the edge or said baflie and having its inner edgepositioned substantially within the outer edge of said bailie andsubstantially above said bailie to guide the current of incoming airaway from the edge of said bafile and to prevent incoming air frompassing under said baiiie.

' THEODORE W. HALLERBERG.

